Social media is all about building brand awareness, engaging with customers, and driving sales. Now, companies of all sizes rely on social media platforms to stay competitive. A well-timed tweet, a viral video, or a clever Instagram reel can do wonders for visibility and connection—but there’s another side to the story that isn’t so glamorous.

Behind the likes, shares, and view count lies a growing web of cyber threats that target businesses through their social media accounts. From phishing attacks disguised as innocent friend requests to fake accounts impersonating your brand, social media users are constantly navigating a minefield of risks. For companies, the stakes are high—one careless click on a malicious link or a weak password could lead to a full-blown data breach.

That’s why social media security isn’t just a buzzword—it’s essential for business. The good news? With the right practices in place, you can enjoy the benefits of social media without the cyber stress. But first, let’s take a closer look at the specific risks your business faces when going social.

Understanding the risks associated with social media in business

Social media might feel like the digital water cooler of the internet—quick chats, shared memes, and the occasional humble brag—but for businesses, it’s more like a wide-open door. And if you’re not paying attention to who’s walking through that door, things can go sideways fast.

Data breaches

Let’s start with the big one. A simple social media post that seems harmless—say, a photo of your team in the office—can accidentally reveal confidential information lurking in the background. Maybe a whiteboard with project details or a computer screen left a little too visible. It doesn’t take much for a crafty cybercriminal to piece together sensitive data that was never meant to be public. And once it’s out there, you can’t take it back.

Phishing attacks

Phishing attacks on social media platforms aren’t limited to DMs from fake friends. It now includes threats aimed directly at company page managers. Attackers may impersonate contractors, sending bogus invoices via page messages or spoofing Meta Ads Support with urgent requests to verify your business account credentials. These phishing tricks often mimic real platforms like Meta Business Manager, preying on urgency and familiarity to trick account admins into handing over access.

One careless click on a malicious link, and suddenly your social media accounts or even your entire network is compromised. These scams feed on trust and urgency, two things social media thrives on, too.

By the end of 2023, social media became the number one target for phishing attacks. A whopping 42.8% of all phishing incidents in the last months of 2024 hit platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. That’s a huge jump from the previous quarter, proof that account theft scams are spreading fast.

Social media account hijacking

Account hijacking goes beyond mere impersonation. It occurs when an attacker gains full control of your social media account, often compromising your brand at scale. In a 2022 report, the Identity Theft Resource Center revealed a staggering 1,000% increase in social media account hijackings.

The report also found that 85% of Instagram and 25% of Facebook users experienced full account takeovers, with 70% permanently locked out. These breaches can devastate your presence: accounts may be repurposed to post malicious or misleading content, siphon ad budgets, or promote scams under your name.

To prevent this, enforce strong password hygiene, mandate multi‑factor authentication for all account admins, and audit any connected third‑party tools or post-scheduling apps—ensuring no single point of failure can compromise your brand.

Malware distribution

There are two primary scenarios to consider when it comes to social media security risks. Attackers can hide malicious URLs in comments, ad replies, or direct messages, using your brand’s reputation to trick users. At the same time, employees browsing social media may click on dangerous links in unrelated ads or promotions, risking their devices and potentially your network, especially in BYOD environments. So this isn’t just a brand-sourced issue or an employee hygiene issue—it’s both.

In 2024, infostealer malware played a major role in credential theft, accounting for more than 2.1 billion stolen credentials, over 60% of the 3.2 billion compromised that year. These tools are built to extract sensitive data directly from infected systems.

Public Wi-Fi hotspots

It’s tempting to check your brand’s Instagram or respond to customer messages while sipping a latte at the café, but public Wi-Fi risks are real. These networks are playgrounds for attackers looking to intercept logins to your online accounts, steal passwords, or sneak into your systems unnoticed.

All these threats can feel a bit overwhelming—but they’re not unbeatable. The key? Taking social media security seriously.

Why social media security is crucial for businesses

Let’s be honest—social media isn’t just a marketing channel anymore. It’s the digital face of your business. It’s where customers ask questions, leave glowing reviews (or not-so-glowing ones), slide into your DMs, and decide whether they trust you enough to click buy now. So when something goes wrong on your social channels, it doesn’t just stay online—it can ripple through your whole business, affecting:

Brand reputation

Imagine this—your official-looking social media accounts start posting weird links at 3 AM or messaging followers with shady giveaways. One hacked account or impersonation incident, and suddenly your customers are wondering if it’s you or just another bogus account with a profile pic and a dream. Social media threats like these can leave long-lasting dents in your reputation, and rebuilding that trust isn’t exactly a weekend project.

Customer trust

People want to feel safe when they interact with your brand—whether they’re commenting on a post, sending a message, or logging in to an account linked to your e-commerce site. If a data breach leaks customer info or they fall victim to phishing attacks via your compromised platform, they’re not just frustrated—they’re gone. No one wants to be the reason a loyal customer ends up a victim of identity theft.

Compliance and regulations

Depending on where you operate (and what kind of data you collect), there are likely regulations you need to follow—HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA, etc. Ignoring social media security can land you in legal trouble, especially if sensitive data is exposed or mishandled.

For instance, in 2019, Facebook faced a $5 billion fine from the US FTC over privacy violations tied to app data misuse and platform weaknesses, making it one of the largest penalties of its kind. It turns out that “we didn’t know” isn’t a great defense when regulators come knocking.

Potential costs

A single social media-related cyber attack can cost a business thousands or more. And by more, we mean that in 2024, the global average cost of a data breach for businesses was $4.9 million.

Being in tech, it’s even riskier—neglecting cybersecurity in software development can create vulnerabilities not only in your code but in your public-facing channels, too. We’re talking lost revenue, emergency IT support, legal fees, reputation cleanup, and even potential fines. It’s not just about protecting passwords—it’s about protecting your bottom line.

The truth is, your business can’t afford to treat social media like a casual side hustle. From malicious links to bogus accounts and social engineering schemes, the risks are real—but they can be managed with the right measures.

Best practices for enhancing social media cybersecurity

We’ve talked about the why. Now, let’s get into the how. Social media threats aren’t going anywhere, but with the right cybersecurity strategy, you can build a solid defense that keeps your brand safe and your followers happy. Here’s where to start:

1. Use a VPN

Public Wi-Fi might be convenient, but it’s also where a lot of bad things happen (digitally, at least). If your team is logging in to dashboards, reviewing social media posts, or chatting with clients from airports, cafés, or coworking spaces, a VPN is your first line of defense.

It encrypts your internet connection, making it way harder for anyone to snoop, intercept, or hijack your activity. For businesses with remote teams, traveling marketers, or agencies managing multiple brands, using a Business VPN is one of those no-brainer moves. It’s easy, invisible, and it works.

2. Keep mobile devices secure

Let’s be real—most of us manage our brand’s socials from our phones. While that’s super convenient, it also opens the door to more cyber threats, especially if those mobile devices aren’t secured.

Introduce a clear Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy to secure any personal devices used for work. Require screen locks, automatic updates, and other baseline protections to minimize risk.

If employees access company social media accounts from their own phones or tablets, ensure those devices meet your security standards. And never allow logins to social media accounts on shared or public devices.

3. Train your team to spot social engineering attacks

Social engineering remains one of the most effective ways to compromise business systems—and social media accounts are prime targets. A well-crafted DM posing as a colleague or a fake customer request can be all it takes. If your team manages customer service or marketing via social channels, they need clear protocols to recognize and respond to these threats in real time.

A little awareness training can go a long way. Teach your team not to share sensitive information over social DMs, not to click on unexpected links, and to always verify requests—especially the ones that sound just a little off. Then, back that training up with the right tools.

NordLayer’s Web Protection automatically blocks access to harmful or suspicious websites—cutting off malware, phishing attempts, and shady ads before they even load. For an extra line of defense, advanced malware protection scans every new downloaded file in real life. If a threat is detected, it’s instantly removed—keeping devices clean without interrupting your team’s workflow.

4. Lock down your logins with multi-factor authentication

We get it—passwords are annoying, and no one wants to memorize a 16-character string with symbols and numbers. But when it comes to social media security, strong passwords aren’t optional. And if you’re not using additional authentication steps yet, now’s the time.

Start with two-factor authentication (2FA)—it adds a second step, like a code sent to your phone or a biometric check, making it way harder for someone to break into your social media accounts, even if your password gets leaked.

For more advanced protection, go beyond 2FA with multi-factor authentication (MFA), which can combine several forms of verification. NordLayer implements MFA measures such as 2FA and Single Sign-On (SSO) to help ensure that only authorized users—not just devices—can access your network and tools.

And here’s where things often go sideways: passwords shouldn’t be shared between team members, and they definitely shouldn’t stay the same forever. Set a routine for updating them.

You can make your social media security smoother (and honestly, a lot less painful) with a business password manager—it keeps everything organized, encrypted, and far away from sticky notes or spreadsheets.

5. Apply access controls to posting

The more people have access to your accounts, the more chances there are for mistakes—or worse. Implement access controls by sticking to a “need-to-post” policy. If someone doesn’t need access to your social media platforms, don’t give it to them.

And even for those who do, set clear boundaries about what can (and can’t) be shared. Accidental leaks of sensitive information can happen with just one hasty screenshot or a poorly thought-out caption. A short approval workflow or social media security playbook can help enforce Role- Based Access Controls (RBAC) and reduce human error.

6. Monitor, update, and don’t ignore weird stuff

A successful e-commerce cybersecurity plan includes regular check-ins—and the same goes for your social media accounts. Review who has access, check for suspicious logins, and monitor for signs of social media threats like spammy DMs, bogus accounts impersonating your brand, or followers reporting strange behavior.

If something seems off, take it seriously. Social media cyber attacks don’t usually come with flashing red warning signs—they often start with a small, weird glitch. Don’t ignore it.

With NordLayer, you can implement Network Access Control (NAC) to limit access only to trusted users and compliant devices. Its Device Posture Security (DPS) feature ensures that only devices meeting your organization’s security standards can connect to your network—reducing risk from outdated, misconfigured, or potentially compromised endpoints.

Combined with network visibility tools, this gives you better insight into who’s connecting, from where, and how—so you can catch potential threats before they snowball.

Securing the social side of business with NordLayer

Managing your business on social media platforms is a full-time hustle—and keeping those platforms safe shouldn’t be another headache. That’s where NordLayer steps in. It seamlessly integrates with your existing security stack, whether you’re a growing startup or an established brand. NordLayer extends policy-based access controls and network-level protections to social media workflows without adding friction for your team.

NordLayer acts as a strong security layer between your business and potential cyber threats. With a Business VPN to secure internet traffic, Web Protection to block harmful sites, and Download Protection for advanced malware detection and removal, your team can click, post, and engage with confidence—even when working from untrusted networks or on the move.

NAC ensures that only authorized users and compliant devices can access your network, while DPS helps block access from endpoints that don’t meet your set security standards. For broader visibility and segmentation, features like Cloud Firewall support your network security strategy and help limit the reach of potential threats.

Remote or hybrid team? No problem. NordLayer supports secure access across devices and locations—so your social media team can stay protected whether they’re posting from HQ or a café halfway across the world.

Whether you’re running a tech company with active developer environments and a focus on cybersecurity in software development, or an online store that lives and breathes digital engagement, NordLayer extends your protection to where your customers are—social media included.

Ready to see how it fits into your team’s workflow? Contact our sales team today to get started!